<i>MTA equipment that was damaged in Hurricane Sandy, Photo by Jill Colvin</i>
<p>After superstorm Sandy left the NYC subway system in shambles, the <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20121127/new-york-city/mta-considers-flood-gates-giant-balloons-protect-from-next-superstorm">MTA has been considering a number of options</a> to prevent mass transit damage in future storms. So far, innovations like <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/could-building-sized-floodgates-protect-lower-manhattan-from-future-superstorms/" target="_blank">flood gates</a> that seal subway entrances and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/could-these-giant-plugs-have-prevented-nyc-subways-from-flooding-during-hurricane-sandy/" target="_blank">giant balloons</a> that inflate to block underground tunnels are at the top of their list. In a recent press conference, New York City Transit president Thomas Prendergast informed New Yorkers that the <a href="http://www.mta.info/nyct/" target="_blank">MTA</a> is weighing several measures - from better sand bagging to adding more pump trains and protective gear - to create a viable plan for the future.

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Damaged MTA Equipment

The damage done to the subways during<a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/nyc-public-transit-remains-shuttered-after-hurricane-sandy-wreaks-havoc-on-entire-system/" target="_blank"> Hurricane Sandy</a> was twofold.

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MTA Equipment Damaged in Hurricane Sandy

The tunnels experienced floor to ceiling flooding, and equipment was heavily eroded after being exposed to millions of gallons of salt water.

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MTA Equipment Damaged in Hurricane Sandy

The MTA is interested in a steel, lock-down system that could prevent water from entering the tunnels that could reduce the need for sand bags. They also have their eye on a giant balloon system that inflates inside the tunnel, blocking water from streaming in.

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MTA Equipment Damaged in Hurricane Sandy

The balloon method is currently being tested at <a href="http://www.wvu.edu/" target="_blank">West Virginia University.</a>

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MTA Equipment Damaged in Hurricane Sandy

Regardless of what changes are put in place, the MTA will need the help of private, local, and federal funds. Currently, Prendergast is convinced the easiest and cheapest way to strengthen the subway's storm response is adding to its fleet of pump trains, saying "If we could get two or three more trains that were pump trains... then by God we'd do that."

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MTA Equipment Damaged in Hurricane Sandy

Lets hope the city realizes the importance of funding subway safety before the next storm hits.

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MTA Equipment Damaged in Hurricane Sandy

MTA equipment that was damaged in Hurricane Sandy, Photo by Jill Colvin

After superstorm Sandy left the NYC subway system in shambles, the MTA has been considering a number of options to prevent mass transit damage in future storms. So far, innovations like flood gates that seal subway entrances and giant balloons that inflate to block underground tunnels are at the top of their list. In a recent press conference, New York City Transit president Thomas Prendergast informed New Yorkers that the MTA is weighing several measures - from better sand bagging to adding more pump trains and protective gear - to create a viable plan for the future.